The Red Sox activated right-handed pitcher Paul Byrd from Triple-A Pawtucket prior to Sunday's game against Toronto and optioned right-handed pitcher Marcus McBeth to Pawtucket after Saturday's win over the Blue Jays.
Byrd, 38, is scheduled to pitch Sunday's game. Boston signed him to a minor-league contract on Aug. 6, and he made four starts for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox and the PawSox. He went 0-2 with a 4.00 ERA in 18 innings. He registered 10 strikeouts and a walk.
The righty made eight starts for Boston in 2008 and went 4-2 with a 4.78 ERA. Byrd has pitched for the Mets, Braves, Phillies, Royals, Angels, Indians and Red Sox throughout the course of his 13-year career, and he is 108-93 with a 4.38 ERA. Since 2005, Byrd's 1.52 walks per 9.0 innings is fourth-best among all major league qualifiers.
McBeth was called up before Saturday's game but has yet to make an appearance in two stints with the big club in 2009. In 42 games in Triple-A, he is 2-2 with three saves and a 2.70 ERA in 63 1/3 innings.
